Eastern Cape's finest police officers honoured at awards ceremony

Nov 12, 2018

Sergeant Sizwe Gaika walked away with top honours at the Excellence Awards held on Friday, 09 November 2018 at the East London International Conventional Centre. Sgt Gaika is an Investigating Officer under the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit (FCS) at the Eastern Cape Provincial Head Office.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) annually host a gala event where members of the SAPS in various categories, ranging from Administration Employee of the Year to the Senior Manager of the Year, reservists and members of the Community Police Forums, who have excelled in the performance of their duties, are rewarded.

Sgt Gaika joined the police 15 years ago and a year later found his true calling at the Detective Services under FCS. Gaika specializes in rape cases and for 2017/2018, he managed to investigate two serial rapists, finalized fifty four (54) dockets and achieved twenty five (25) life sentences and one thousand, seven hundred and twenty (1 720) years of imprisonment.

Amongst the cases he investigated was that of Lonwabo Solontsi, aged 29, who was sentenced an indefinite period.

During sentencing on 23 March 2018, Judge Thamie Beshe said “The accused is declared a dangerous criminal. He is sentenced to undergo imprisonment for an indefinite period. It is ordered that he will be brought before the court at the expiration of twenty five (25) years for consideration of his sentence in terms of Section 286 (B)(2)”.

“Tonight the SAPS is proud to acknowledge those who have gone above and beyond the usual call of duty to contribute to the organisation’s successes in fulfilling the strategic objectives,” she said.

This year’s winner are:-·Administration Employee of the Year 1 – 4: Cleaner NM Makatangana·Administration Employee of the Year 5 – 7: W/O MM Neave·Administration Employee of the Year 8 – 12: Capt Diniso·Administration Team of the Year: Capt Diniso and Team ·Detective Employee of the Year 5 - 7: Const Baatjies·Detective Team of the Year: Brigadier Perumal and Team·FSC Investigator of the Year 5 - 7: Sgt S Gaika ·FSC Investigator of the Year 8 – 12: Lt Col Mangesi·Visible Policing Employee of the Year 5 – 7: Sgt AWR Oosthuizen ·Visible Policing Employee of the Year 8 - 12: Capt Msongelwa ·Visible Policing Team of the Year: Lt Col JD Van Zyl and Team ·Reservist of the Year: R/W/O FL Pitt·Communicator of the Year: Capt K Tonjeni·Senior Operational Manager of the Year: Brig N Makhonza (A/Cluster Commander: Mthatha)·Senior Support Manager of the Year: Brig IW Wolvaard (Provincial Head: Supply Chain Management)·Best Small Station: Elandsheight SAPS·Best Medium Station: Burgersdorp SAPS·Best Large Station: Lusikisiki SAPS

Delivering a message of support on behalf of the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Deputy National Commissioner, Lt Gen Bonang Mgwenya said both SAPS Act members and PSA Act employees have a pivotal role towards fighting crime and they must complement each other.

“At our awards ceremonies, we also acknowledge the vital role our employees in the support environment played. Without their dedication and commitment, our operational members would not have been empowered to be as effective and efficient as they proved to be,” she said.

She concluded by echoing the words of Rick Pitino, “Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer".

Awards were also presented to:·Person Living with Disability: Sgt T Tutani·Woman of the Year: Capt NV Khanya-Man of the Year: Const Njemla·CPF of the Year: Dutywa CPF·Sports Woman of the Year: Const Swanepoel·Sports Man of the Year: Sgt T Sibhozo·Sports Person with Disability: CAC R Schutte

“To the good, diligent and dedicated officers who are here this evening, your efforts have not gone unnoticed. You truly are the unsung heroes of our democratic South Africa, your role is crucially important in advancing our democracy and the general prosperity of our beautiful country,” said MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Ms Weziwe Tikana when delivering the keynote address.

“Let us all united continue the fight against crime,” she concluded.

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